About Lulu Guinness

Founded when Lulu Guinness was 29 in 1989 with the concept of a briefcase for women which morphed into an idea for vintage style rose basket bags, Lulu's intention was always to be slightly outré and push boundaries.

Critical acclaim and praise from leading fashion industry figures was instantaneous, paving the way for Lulu Guinness stores as far afield as New York and Tokyo as well as London, and creating opportunities to be sold on the shelves of the world's most prestigious department stores,from Selfridges and Fortnum and Mason in the UK to Luisa Via Roma in Italy, Harvey Nichols Dublin and Galleries Lafayette China.

Still as involved in her brand as the day she founded it, Lulu designs the interior of every store with panache, ensuring she captures the true essence of her brand, creating a destination where customers can be privy to the weird and wonderful world of Lulu Guinness.

Her iconic designs have surpassed the role of mere fashion accessories. The Collectable bags have been described as 'tomorrow's treasures', becoming permanent fixtures in museums worldwide.The Florist Basket is in the permanent fashion collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and has also been exhibited in Sotheby's London and New York.

2006 saw Lulu awarded an OBE from the Queen and in 2009 she was awarded The Independent Handbag Designer Awards ICONOCLAST Award for Lifetime Achievement in Handbag Design.

In 2012 Lulu accepted an Honorary Doctorate by The University of the Arts London.

She never had any formal design training apart from a year's foundation course at art school and her success is proof that ambition, drive and a deeply ingrained passion for your product are all you need to succeed in the cut throat business of fashion.

Today Lulu still lives by the motto of her hero, the Surrealist artisan and fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, 'Dare to Be Different' and the women who wear Lulu Guinness do just that.

Her creations are regularly seen on the arms of Helena Bonham Carter, Florence Welch, Katy Perry, Dita von Teese, Alexa Chung and Christina Aguilera, trailblazing women who dare to venture outside the parameters set by a predominantly trend led fashion industry.They are women with a fierce sense of humour and an even fiercer sense of their own femininity.

Lulu is the living, breathing personification of her brand:You will never catch her without her trademark red lipstick.The central motif, the distinctive Dali-esque lips clutch, remains the brand's staple accessory, transporting the Surrealist art movement into mainstream popular culture.